Isaacs - Angry conversations with God: a snarky but authentic spiritual memoir

Copyright 2009 by Susan E. Isaacs

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Second eBook Edition: March 2011

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ISBN: 978-0-446-54469-6

God in couples counseling? Sounds sacrilegious, but in the adept hands of comedian, writer, and actress Isaacs, its a success. Isaacs reached bottom at age forty: no job, no boyfriend, no home. Of course, she blamed God. So off they went to counseling with the ever-patient therapist Rudy lsaacs goes on a Job-like search for explanations from God, but instead finds the problem to be her. Shes funny, biting, earthy, and brilliant.

Publishers Weekly, Starred Review

ANGRY CONVERSATIONS WITH GOD has hit a nerve with a brand of evangelical that favors authenticity over authority and messy narrative over formulas for success.

Christianity Today

Isaacs is raw, real, and laugh-out-loud funny. Isaacss honesty and disarming humor about darkness, church, and issues around alcohol, eating disorders, and sex, pull the reader deeper into her story. Isaacs is transformed when the God in her mind is replaced by the real God of love and she rediscovers grace.

Relevant Magazine, Top 10 Books of 2009

A well-written and edgy memoir.

World Magazine

Every so often one reads a book in which you know the author totally gets it this book has the dialog we all wish we could lob at the Almighty.

Julia Duin, Washington Times

Like The Shack for the rest of us a hilariously honest spiritual memoir.

The Christian Broadcasting Network

Susan stands at the corner of Fifth and a back street somewhere, and stops traffic with this book just long enough for us to see our own reflection. Susan has pulled off something that every author aims for: an authentic reflection of who she really isstrong yet vulnerable, sarcastic yet caring, even seemingly irreverent at times. Yet her profound love for God is evident.

She tells us what she has experienced. She takes aim at the premises that underlie our faith. Then she grabs that arrow and points it back at herself, to illustrate the premise of her book and her life: that God is nuts about us, desires to do life with us in all of its messiness, and desires to encounter us and to be encountered.

This book is no Hallmark card: Its an invitation to lean forward and eavesdrop on a real conversation that Susan has the guts, grit, and vulnerability to let us in on. You will turn the last page and find yourself ready to take another look at the conversations youve been havingor might need to havewith God.

Bob Goff, Founder and CEO of Restore International, honorable consul to the Republic of Uganda, and spiritual daredevil

ANGRY CONVERSATIONS WITH GOD is one of the most entertaining books I have ever read. [It] kept me smiling all the way through to the end. Reading this book was like watching a really funny movie: Its sort of a rom-God-com, with a few explosions throughoutthough those are mostly Susan ranting about life to her co-star whos pretty good at holding His own.

Dean Batali, TV writer/producer, That 70s Show, Buffy the Vampire Slayer

My mom always says it takes an exceptionally bright mind to be funny. This book is what happens when a comedian writes a spiritual memoir. Susan can articulate moments that defy words, say things most of us wouldnt dare to say, and make you ache deep down and laugh out loud.

Kristin Armstrong, author of Happily Ever After, Work in Progress, and Heart of my Heart

The words on the pages of this book are a clear glass window on Susans soul. Grace invades and transforms the soul when we tell God the truth, and the only way to be truthful is to develop this kind of clear glass window. Grace abounds in this book because truth is told.

Scot McKnight, author of The Jesus Creed and Blue Parakeet, professor of religious studies at Northpark University, Chicago, IL

For years Christians have claimed they felt married to God; so if you are mad at God, doesnt it sound reasonable to take him to counseling? What Susan reveals from those counseling sessions is worth every moment you spend in her book; ANGRY CONVERSATIONS WITH GOD is Girl Meets God meets The Shack. Curl up on your couch and devour every page!

Victorya Rodgers

ANGRY CONVERSATIONS WITH GOD is snippy and snarky, and a deeply touching, powerful book of hope! Isaacs has the courage to write what weve all felt at times in our spiritual journeys. This candid, thoughtful, laugh-out-loud funny book will help you realize youre not alone! So bring it on and get real: God can take it!

Nancy Stafford, actor, speaker, author of The Wonder of His Love and Beauty by the Book

Susans story is like an evening of great improv. Youll laugh until you cry, and sometimes youll simply cry. May Susans courageous book be a balm to all readers who took beyond their lost dreams and listen for Gods voice.

Doug LeBlanc, contributing writer to Christianity Today and getreligion.org

For Mother:
you prayed for me.

For Larry:
you were her answer.

GIVEN THAT THIS IS MY FIRST BOOK AND IT COVERS MOST OF MY life, Ive got a lot of people to thank. On a personal level, first Id like to thank my wonderful family and friends for allowing me to use our histories for comic effect. Dont worry: I changed your names and made you thin and pretty. If I didnt change your name, I made you even thinner and prettier. Second, Id like to thank my mentors: Barbara Van Holt, for making the honest mistake of telling me I could do anything. So it took me thirty years. Roy Kammerman, for your fatherly love and frankness that wouldnt accept mediocrity. Ill see you up there, Roy. To Ron Boyer: thanks for your friendship, guidance, and sense of humor. To Terrie Silverman, whose Creative Rites workshop birthed this book: thanks for your enthusiasm, writing exercises, and Beatles Teas.